It looks likeEAis pretty much done withNeed for Speedfor the time being, as a reliable source has claimed that the series has been “shelved”.
Back in 2008, EA helped open theSpeedHunters websitewith site founder Rod Chong as an homage to car culture, basically the entire ethos behind theNeed For Speed franchise. SpeedHunters was a place where people who would rather hold wreches, instead of small talk, would go to explore the latest in motorsports, racing, Formula Drift and everything cars have to offer. Unfortunately, the SpeedHunters site and Need For Speed itself appear to be in trouble.
As a reminder of how great some of the content that SpeedHunters has produced on Need for Speed is, it recently shared amassive report on one of the most iconic cars in the series - Most Wanted’s M3 GTR.
Fans have noticed the recent radio silence from SpeedHunters, andcreated their own thread on Reddit titled “It Looks Like SpeedHunters is Dead"to discuss their thoughts surrounding SpeedHunters supposed hiatus. Today, it appears a contributor to the website has come out and basically confirmed fans' fears, that not only is SpeedHunters “on ice,” but Need For Speed has been “shelved”.
“EA Shelved Need For Speed”
As reported by VGC, known SpeedHunters Photojournalist, Matthew Everingham, tookto Instagramtoday to deliver some unfortunate news regarding SpeedHunters and Need For Speed. The post reads, “Speedhunters is on ice. EA shelved Need For Speed, and that means no more funding for the site. Grateful for everything — the trips, the stories, the lifelong mates. I’m still shooting, just shifting gears into more video”.
While all evidence points to SpeedHunters stopping publishing, EA has not issued a statement of any kind regarding Need For Speed and a potential “shelving” in response yet. But, EA did report that Criterion, the developers responsible for Need For Speed Unbound,would be working on Battlefield back in February 2025, and until those obligations are finished, there would be no developments made to the franchise.
Aside from Everingham, no other contributor to the SpeedHunters website has spoken out regarding the publication’s “put on ice” status. However, considering how quiet Need for Speed has been over the past few years, it wouldn’t come as that much of a surprise to hear that EA is putting the brakes on for it.
